The art of spiralling...

An old Taijiquan saying goes:  "Taijiquan is the art of spiralling. Without understanding this, one does not understand the art."  There are two kinds of  "spiralling method",  involving Orbital Revolution (Gongzhuan公转) and Axial Rotation (Zizhuan自转).  The integration of both enables one to experience the subtle state of “energy moving like drawing silk”, and to develop the jin of Taijiquan.

 “Orbital Revolution” refers to the overall movement of the body in which the waist and hips serve as the central axis, leading the arms and legs to trace arcs through space. The limbs move in coordination, driven by the rotation of the torso.  It emphasises whole body movement - ensuring that all parts of the body move in sync, rather than operating independently.

"Axial Rotation" refers to localised, spiral movements within individual limbs, most typically in the clockwise and anticlockwise twisting of the hands and arms.  Even in the most simple lifting movements, the arm subtly "rotate," like wringing a towel.   The principle also applies to the lower limbs.  "Reeling silk energy" (缠丝劲) is generated in this way.

Many practitioners focus solely on "orbital revolution" in their training while neglecting "axial rotation."  As a result power gets stuck at the shoulders.  In practice, "orbital revolution" and "axial rotation" work together - like the earth orbiting the sun while spinning on its axis. Without rotation, one cannot receive, nor redirect and neutralise an incoming force.  Without revolution, rotation loses its foundational axis, and limb movements become ungrounded and weak. 

Clarifying the relationship between orbital revolution and axial rotation in different parts of the body is primarily to achieve overall coordination, avoid superfluous movements, and prevent internal contradictions in one's power. Any movement that is unnecessary, excessive, or irrational is considered superfluous.  By eliminating such movements the body move as one integrated unit, generate "unified energy," and avoid the pitfalls of dispersed force, excessive rigidity, as well as the errors of yielding too much or resisting too hard in practice.

These concepts are rooted in Daoist philosophy and Chinese martial arts principles, where the body is seen as a dynamic system of interconnected rotations. They highlight the importance of integration (whole-body movement) and differentiation (localised spirals) in achieving martial efficiency and health benefits.